A Baby Died After His Parents Allegedly Tried To Cure His Meningitis With Maple Syrup

#1 A COUPLE Whose Son Died Of Meningitis Tried Curing The 19-Month-Old With Maple Syrup Instead Of Taking Him To A Doctor

David and Collet Stephan are also accused of giving their son homemade remedies such as apple cider vinegar and horseradish root - instead of seeking advice from healthcare professionals.

#2 The Canadian Couple's Son Ezekiel Died In 2012 But They Are Now Standing Trial Accused Of Allowing Him To Die

David works for vitamins and supplements company Truehope Nutritional Support, which claim they work to improve people's mental health though nutrition.

Prosecutors have told the jury Ezekiel had been ravaged by meningitis for two weeks, but his parents only called for medical help when he stopped breathing.

RCMP said at the time that the boy had been ill for a couple of weeks but his parents only called for an ambulance on March 13 when he stopped breathing. Ezekiel was airlifted to the Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary.

Doctors determined that the boy had a lung infection, which developed into viral meningitis.

#3 The Tragic Tot Died In Hospital After Five Days On Life Support

David, 32, and Collet, 35, from southern Alberta, pleaded not guilty to failing to provide the necessaries of life for their son on Monday.

The Stephan's are accused of treating their son with homemade remedies even after their friend who was nurse told them he could have meningitis.

#4 The Anxious Parents Used Water Mixed With Maple Syrup And Juice With Frozen Berries To Boost His Immune System

They were also said to have used hot peppers, mashed onion, and garlic and ginger root mixtures as his condition worsened.

The couple allegedly also treated him with Empowerplus - a product made by Truehope Nutritional Support.

It has been reported that David owns the company, but the firm have dismissed the claim and say he is just an employee there. The Canadian government had ruled in 2004 that the supplement be taken off the market.

#5 The Family Chose To Live A Homeopathic Lifestyle

In an audiotape played to the court the couple are allegedly heard telling a police officer they prefer natural remedies over traditional healthcare.

They are also heard saying that the family has had negative experiences with the medical system in the past and preferred to live without any drugs or unnatural medicines.

Collet told police that her son had a runny nose and fever at the end of February 2012 and she assumed he had croup. She said he seemed to be responding to various natural remedies.

#6 Ezekiel's Father Shocked That He And His Wife Were Charged With Murder Of Their Son

Prosecutor Clayton Giles told the court on Monday: "I'm not saying they killed him, abused him or ignored him - they loved him."

"They didn't take him to a doctor until it was too late - far too late."

In previous media interviews the family has denied that they handled Ezekiel's illness inappropriately and said they were "blindsided" by the charges in 2013.

"There's nothing in the world that will bring him back," Ezekiel's father told The Calgary Herald. "What good could possibly come out of this?"

#7 David Wrote On The Facebook Page Prayers For Ezekiel That There Has Been Misinformation Spread About The Case

David posted that misinformation spread about the case has "created a hostile environment" for the couple to be in.

"My wife and I are now in a situation that we have so much animosity being directed our way that we are actually concerned for our security," he added.

The post concludes: "Our only desire is that the truth comes out.

"For those that have been actively opposing us and even sought to hurt us, we forgive you and clear ourselves of the bitterness and hatred."

He now insists that the family has used the medical system before and is not against it in any way, even though none of the children had been vaccinated for any childhood illnesses as of the court appearance.